Labor Day Weekend
I think every girl needs at least one New York City girl trip in her lifetime. It's a totally different experience. I had a blast with these girls! I am pretty sure our trip was based around food, shopping and laughing. I am glad I got to go and experience the city with these friends. It is a trip I will never forget!
Although it did have a rocky start...
*long story is totally worth is...i promise!*
We were staying at my HS BFF's new apartment. I had never been there and had simply typed the address into the gps. We picked up the key from her at a friends house and headed toward the address. Well about 30 min. later we turn onto her street all a little confused. There were some things there that she mentioned like a red van parked out front, a grocery store on the corner but a couple things were not adding up. She said it was a 2 way street- we were on a one way, and she said she was on the 3rd floor- the building we were looking at didn't seem to have 3 floors- there was no subway station around the corner- oh and IT WAS FREAKING SCARY!
Keep in mind it was pushing 1:00am and this street had far too many men hanging out on their porches in groups at 1:00am. I was so confused, I couldn't picture my friend living here but kept telling myself that if Lauren lived here it must be safer than it looks. So all 8 of us nervously unload out of the car and gather our bags and pillows and start walking up to the apartment. We got many strange looks and even a few comments such as "where's the sleepover girls?!"
So we get to the door and I get out the key and I cannot get it to open the door. So I have another girl try and then I call Lauren and verify the address and then I start describing whats around me...a black gate/fence, some steps- a screen door...she then exclaims..NO! That's when I lost it...I start gesturing for everyone to quickly get back to the car. We all are now freaking out because we have been trying to break into someone else's home and we are on a street in who knows what neighborhood. We book it for the car, jump in, lock the doors and try to figure out where we are.
Well apparently Lauren's same street and house number also exists in Brooklyn New York. Oh...you mean I didn't notice crossing a bridge? nope. I was jamming the back not paying any attention. So we laughed, we cried and we drove another 45 min. back to the island of Manhattan to Lauren's house.
And believe me- her place is nice- but it looked like freakin Park Avenue after what we just encountered.
It was a crazy night and a wild start to our adventure.
I wish I got a picture of the first place but we were too busy running for our lives! ;)
The drive went by pretty quick each way. It may have been my favorite part. I loved jamming with my back seat girls to goodies such as Barbie Girl, C'est La Vie, Britney, Backstreet Boys and more.
And here is us in front of Lauren's ACTUAL apartment.
Natalie, Jessica, Paige, Me, Kayli, Emily, Ashlee, Danielle
We made it! Time Sqaure!
We hit up the Disney store and Toys R Us. They have the coolest stores there.
The candy lovers wanted to buy it all! ;)
Some cool park with the delicious Shake Shack, a guy making giant bubbles, and views of some cool buildings.
We did a Free Food Tour in Greenwich Village (which I highly recommend).
It stated in Washington Square Park We played in the "Friends" fountain.
We got to try some unique and delicious foods in Greenwich Village
I didn't love the Falafel but it was fun to try
The Artichoke Pizza was AMAZING! (and that's saying a lot coming from me)
Bleckers Pizza was your typical NYC Pizza-classic
And the desserts were my favorite.
We went to a delicious cookie place and then stopped at the Pop Shop where they have Gelato made into Popsicles- yummy!
Probably the Highlight of the trip.
I feel in love with this part of the city.
It was beautiful and charming.
And can you tell we love the colored skinny jean phad..ha.
That night we did end up getting a stellar last minute deal on show tickets.
Right before the show started we went up to the ticket office and practically begged them to let us in for cheap. $27 dollars later we were in the theater for Jersey Boys
Unfortunately I loved the music but the language was unbearable and I would not recommend it.
We walked out but I guess at least we only lost $27 bucks. No big deal. We went and got some ice cream and shopped at forever 21 instead- always a favorite of mine.
Day 2
Waiting for our Central Park tour to start.
I love this park and even though I have been many times I still saw things I have never seen before. It is HUGE! We tried to get as much info about movies filmed in the park out of our tour guide as possible. He wasn't that helpful in that aspect but we loved pointing out to each other all the scenes from Enchanted and kept singing "How do you know!!" We entertained ourselves! ;)
He did inform us of the strict rules to get into some of the apartments around the park (pictured above) Crazy rich and famous people live there and you can't move in unless you live by there code or something..i dunno i was too busy singing Enchanted. We also saw these singers that perform in the archway every Sunday- they were amazing. I think they are famous-ish too.
Then we headed to ground zero.
This was really emotional for me.
It was so powerful standing where these massive buildings used to be and where I had actually gone atop of as a child and now to see the emptiness. It was awful. My heart ached for all those who experienced lost in any manor that day. I ran my fingers across the names and I just felt so sad.
Yet, I also felt so proud to be American and have such brave men and women who came to the rescue and gave their lives to help others.
I could go on and on but this was an incredible experience for me. I hadn't been back here and I am glad we went. Isn't the new World Trade Center gorgeous?
Having Fun on the Subway!
Well some of us...
HA! Jessica and Emily got stuck on the subway. It was hilarious!
They were knocking on the closed doors with looks of terror on their faces!
It was a little bit of a dilemma since phone's don't work down there and neither of them were too subway savvy we weren't sure how to find them again. We took a chance that they wouldn't get off and get back on and just met up with them at the next stop. Turns out they tried to get off and get back on but got the doors shut on them AGAIN! ha! So they came up and held still- we found them- it worked out but they were a little shaken! ha!
We ended up splitting up and my group headed to The Statue of Liberty.
2 things
1. I love my 4th year ladies and the Dental School experience would not have been the same without them. I love them so much and hope we will stay friends forever!
2. I love the Statue of Liberty. My mom would take us all the time when we live in Mass. and we would grumble a lot. (I think I have been on the statue's island 8 times) But now I have a strong fondness for it. I love it. I love what it stands for and it's another place that is slightly spiritual for me and just makes me feel proud to be an American. I am glad we took our stroll along the Hudson to go see it. It was a beautiful evening!
Then we headed back uptown and went and played around at Dylans Candy Bar (hoping to see Suri Cruise-no luck!), went to Sprinkles to get cupcakes and ended at FAO Schwartz to play on the huge piano among other childish things. It was a really fun night!
We were the cheapo's on this trip and did not want to spend more money so our night was kinda over.
We headed back to Lauren's place stopped at CVS where they had the cutest little baskets with rollers on them-stuffed our basket full of snacks and just hung out at Lauren house. I know lame we go all the way to NYC and the last night we hang out in the apartment- it was actually so nice! We were tired and we stay pretty entertained telling stories and laughing our heads off!
The other girls eventually joined us and we chatted the night away.
We were pooped! (all of us BUT Emily were fake sleeping in this picture!-ha!)
Thanks for a great trip Ladies and big thanks to Lauren for letting us crash at your place.
It was an awesome weekend!
